Thorn EMI Computer Software

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Thorn EMI Computer Software[1] (also known as Thorn EMI Video Programmes)[2] was a British video games software house set up in the early 1980s as part of the now-defunct British conglomerate Thorn EMI.

They released a number of games in the early 1980s using the same "Thorn EMI Video" label[3] as their home video releases. Initially these were for the Atari 8-bit computers, and later for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and VIC-20 formats.

In 1984, the Thorn EMI name was dropped in favour of Creative Sparks as the company felt its "big corporate" associations were inappropriate for the video games market.[4] A budget label, Sparklers, was created in early 1985 to publish titles at £2.50.[5] Later in 1985, Creative Sparks, Sparklers and the distribution company, Creative Sparks Distribution (CSD) gained independence from Thorn EMI after a management buyout.[6]

In July 1987, six months after buying software company Mikro-Gen for a "substantial" sum,[7] Creative Sparks went into receivership with debts estimated at up to £1.5million.[8]

The back catalogue of the company was acquired by Tynesoft, Alternative Software and Maynard International (Top Ten Software).[9] The former management at CSD went on to form Software Publishing Associates, owners of the Crysys and Pirate Software labels.[10]

Releases

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Many of the company's games listed below were issued on more than one label over the years. A typical example is River Rescue, first released under the Thorn EMI label,[11] then later sold (with updated artwork) under the Creative Sparks brand.[12] This was followed by a budget release on the company's own Sparklers label[13] then- after Creative Sparks' demise- another budget reissue by Alternative Software.[14]

'Thorn EMI' label

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'Creative Sparks' label

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  • Black Hawk
  • Computer War[21]
  • Countdown to Meltdown[22]
  • Danger Mouse In Double Trouble[23]
  • Danger Mouse In The Black Forest Chateau[24]
  • Delta Wing[25]
  • Snodgits[26]
  • Special Delivery[27]
  • Stagecoach[28]
  • Story House[29]
  • Tower of Evil
  • Danger Mouse in Making Whoopee

'Sparklers' label

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References

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